Mr. Belvedere

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 15, 1985
Season #: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
36

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 3 out of 6

Critic Reviews

  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ed Siegel
    Aug 7, 2014
    30
    All this would be fine if only there were some comedy in the situation. ... The acting isn't bad, particularly Christopher Hewett as Belvedere and Bob Uecker as the loutish father. But even Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton couldn't pull off lines like [these]. [15 Mar 1985]
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  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Howard Rosenberg
    Jul 3, 2014
    20
    Hewett does about as well as possible in a half-hour that is so dull and insultingly bad that you can't tell the adults from the kids.
  3. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Steve Sonsky
    Jul 3, 2014
    60
    When [Uecker] and Hewett trade barbs, they elevate the material far beyond the way it would read on the printed page. Down the line, however, for this show to sustain, the writing and the plotting will have to show a bit more originality and flash than it does tonight. [15 Mar 1985]
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  5. San Diego Union-Tribune
    Reviewed by: Robert P. Laurence
    Jul 3, 2014
    40
    Hewett projects the right blend of acid wit and sympathy, but he gets little help from the rest of the project. [15 Mar 1985]
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  6. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Van Gelder
    Jul 3, 2014
    50
    Though the first episode of Mr. Belvedere indicates that the basic format is fertile ground for humor, its creators should beware believing that a benign laugh track means they have been funny.
  7. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Tom Shales
    Jul 3, 2014
    30
    "Mr. Belvedere" is the sort of thing people have in mind when they say they hate situation comedies. [15 Mar 1985]
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User Reviews

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User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Tss5078
    Mar 9, 2016
    8
    Now days, most people only recognize Mr. Belvedere as a frequent butt of Family Guy jokes. On the surface, it was just another 80s sitcom, oneNow days, most people only recognize Mr. Belvedere as a frequent butt of Family Guy jokes. On the surface, it was just another 80s sitcom, one of the founding memebers of ABC's classic TGIF line-up, but for those of us who have come to love this show, we realize that it was so much more.

    Mr. Belvedere is an english butler, who was created in a 1947 novel, starred in a 1948 movie, and moderized for television in 1985. The show centeres on Lynn Belvedere (Christopher Hewitt), a British Royal butler, who has been hired to work for a middle class family in suburban Pittsburgh. Most of the time, it's your every day run of the mill sitcom, but what made this show extremely different, was it's very special episodes, which occured several times a season.

    The show ran from 1985-1990, yet it still managed to be the first television show to tackle issues such as AIDS, bullying, stranger danger, elder rights, and even homosexuality. Often times the family would come into conflict and face three choice, Mrs. Owens, who always does the right things, Mr. Owens, who never does the right thing, and Mr. Belvedere the voice of reason that lies somewhere in the middle.

    As for the cast, they are as unique and strange a mix as ever seen on television. The main sources of comedy come from Mr. Belvedere (played by Christopher Hewitt, between known for his performances on Broadway than anything else) and his dealings with Wesley T. Owens (Brice Beckham), who is as twisted and psychotic as any sitcom child could ever be. Mr. Belvedere has frequent run-ins' and a contentious relation with head of the household, George (played by Bob Uecker, a former baseball player), which usually lead to some quick one liners, and even more laughs.

    Mr. Belvedere was really ahead of it's time and extremely underrated as far as television history is concerned. It may forever be remembered as that show with the butler, that led into Full House, but for it me, it has always been an image of how the not so perfect family should function and work together. It is a mixture of laughter, tears, and life lessons that is as relevant today as it was back then.    … Full Review »
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